“Dark iron”

Malirion (translator’s note: “dark iron”) was forged in the latter days of the Second Era by the dwarves. It is poisonous to all life, for, when it pierces the flesh, it also wounds the spirit. What happens to the spirit is uncertain; some say the malirion wound takes it captive into the domain of Hell, while others state it merely separates it from the body or is destroyed altogether. A wound from a sword of malirion cannot be overcome; depending on the strength of the man’s spirit, it may take hours, days, or months, but in time the victim will die.